CA1110748A

CA1110748A - Electronic apparatus shelter

Info

Publication number: CA1110748A
Application number: CA313,132A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Alberto Ghiraldi
Original assignee: D S D P SpA
Current assignee: D S D P SpA
Priority date: 1977-10-27
Filing date: 1978-10-11
Publication date: 1981-10-13
Also published as: DE2846281A1; FR2407551A1; US4263963A; GB2007028A; IT1088215B

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention provides a shelter for the pro-tection of electronic apparatus from the surrounding exterior environment, said shelter comprising: a closed box-like structure defining an interior space for housing electronic apparatus, the exterior of said box-like structure being exposed to the sur-rounding exterior environment; said box-like structure having walls including thermal resistance means for decreasing the amount of heat transferred from said exterior environment through said box-like structure into said interior space when the tempera-ture of said exterior environment is higher than the temperature of said interior space; said box-like structure having in said interior space thereof thermal capacity means for absorbing said heat transferred from said exterior environment into said interior space, for absorbing heat generated in said interior space, and for dissipating heat through said walls to said exterior en-viroment when said temperature of said exterior environment is lower than said temperature of said interior space; and said thermal resistance means and said thermal capacity means being sized and dimensioned to comprise means for maintaining said temperature of said interior space substantially constant and equal to the mean value of said temperature of said exterior environment during a predetermined period of time. Preferably the shelter includes a solar screen means positioned exterior of said box-like structure for reflecting solar radiation away from said box-like structure, said solar screen means defining with said box-like structure air space means for enabling the circulation therethrough of ambient air for cooling the exterior of said box-like structure.

Description

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BACKGROUND OF TE~E INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a device for ensuring the protection against the surrounding ex-ternal environment of elec-tronic or similar apparatuses in par-ticulax high-reliability ap-paratuses when installed in zones sho~i.ng difficult climatic - conditions and in positions difficult to be joined and to be -.^ supplied with conventional energv `:
In the field of electronic apparatuses the prevailing ~.
trend is to reduce consumptions and increase reliability, ln particular for the purpose of reducing the maintenance fees.
These two features must be considered as essential ,: .
ones when such apparatuses operate in climatically difficult zones as well as :in pl.aces di:Ef.icult to be reached, devoid of conventional e~nergy sources without the possibility of human supervision. The continuous improvement of the above-mentioned ~ ;
features has introduced the problem of effectively protecting ~::
the apparatuses not only against atmospheric agents, but also ..
against extremely high or low environmental temperature. :`
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
. For the protection of these electronic apparatuses so-called "shelter" devices are normally used essentially in the ::
form of box-like structures wherein these appara-tuses are housed.
The known shelters always offer a protection against inclement weather and sometimes also r.lake a certain thermal insulation due to the thermal insulating material o~ their walls. :~
:

~ - 2 -7~
, ~ .

However, the power dissipated hy the electronic apparatuses within said known shelters results in a positive temperature difference between the inner and outer wall surfaces, but the inner temperature always follows the daily and seasonal environmental temperature variations. This means that inside the shelter maximum and minimum temperature peaks about equal to those of the environmental temperature plus said temperature : ~ , -~- difference can be detected.
Accordingly, these known shelters are effective only if the maximum and/or minimum environmental temperature peaks, plus said difference, result in inside maximum and/or minimum temperature peaks which are compatible with a perfect operation of the apparatuses.
`~ If the outside maximum and/Qr minimum temperature peaks do not satisfy the above condition, other solutions must be foreseen. When the shelters must operate in zones wherein the maximum inside temperature peak, calculated as hereinabove, is greater than the allowahle temperature, it is possible to !, provide shelters with automatically or manually controllable openings, in order to reduce the inside temperature to values corresponding to outside temperature. However this solution, which is effective only when the outside temperature is com-patible with the operation of the apparatus, shows different drawbacks, as for example a reduced protection against inclement weather when the shelter is open, a poor reliability when the shelter opening is automatically controlled, or high costs in case of a manual shelter opening control.

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- Another solution is to provide shelter havi.ng air conditioners, heat pumps or other cooling or heating means.
However, this solution requires considerable energ~ consumption ., for producing or subtracting heat inside the shelter t and involves :-the use of poor reliability plants.
- The present invention provides a protection device or ~ shelter, in particular for the uses as above outlined wherein the i:~
above-stated problems and drawbacks of known shelters are solved ' .
,. and overcome and wherein protection against maximum and/or minimum~ 10 outside termperatures is ensured without using energy sources .:
: and independently from -the reliability of temperature controlling `
plants. ``
;; According to the present invention there is provided ~; a shel-ter for the protection of elec-tronic apparatus from t~e surrounding exterior envi.ronment, said shelter comprising: a :;
closed box-like structure defining an interior space for housing electronic apparatus, the exterior of said box-like structure being exposed to the surrounding exterior environment; said box-like structure having walls including thermal resistance means for decreasing the amount of heat trans~erred from said exterior ~:
environment through said box-like structure into said interior space when the temperature of said exterior environment is higher than the temperature of said interior space; said box-like structure `:
havlng in said interior space thereof thermal capacity means for absorbing said heat transferred from said exterior environment into said interior space, for absorbing heat generated in said interior space, and for dissipating heat through said walls to said exterior environment when said temperature of said exterior ~ environment is lower than said temperature of said interior space; .
and said thermal resistance means and said thermal capacity means being sized and dimensioned to comprise means for maintaining said temperature of said interior space substantially constant 1~ .

and equal to the mean value of said tempera-ture of said exter;or environment during a prede-termined period of time-Desirably the she]ter also includes solar screen meanspositioned exterior of said box-like structure for reflecting solar radiation away from said box-like structure, said solar screen means defining with said box-like structure air space means for enabling the circulation therethrough of ambient air for cooling the exterior of said box-like structure.
.
According to the present invention therefore a shelter is provided that comprises a closed box~like structure forming and/or cooperating with at least one thermal resistance and at least one thermal capacity which are calcula-ted and dimensioned in such a manner as to mai.ntain inside the structure subs-tan-tially constant temperature values accordi.ng to the mean environmental temperature in pre-established tirne periods. In particular, said thermal resistance is formed by a suitable insulating material forming the structure walls, and/or cooperating therewith, while said thermal capacity is formed by a suitable quantity of a material having high specific heat, forming the box-like structure walls or cooperating ' .~ therewith; in~ide~ th~ r.
I~ o~hes~ word~, a¢cordi~g l~o Ithis in~r~tlon~, a thor_ n~al ~lt~r o~ ~u~t~ble ¢h~Pa¢t,l3ri~ Lcs ~ int~srpo~ed b~
twee~ tlle ~helter outslde ~nd in~it~. Th~6~ 1;herm~1 :eilt~r S operatc in such ~ manner A8 ~;0 llm~lt th~ h~ xch~nge w~th th~ ~ut}~ids by meaals OI the in~ula~ion Pormin~ ~aid ~hern~al resl6ta~c~ nd to prf~ nt th~s heat QXChatll~e w~;h ~he ~llt~ld~ Ll sub~ t1~1~ y ~P~ ct the ~ or i~ides t~nperatur~ va~r~ , by u~g ~aid ther~ 1 ¢a_ pacit~ a~ a ~tnbills~3r. Accord~ly, wh~n ~or oxample~
a h~at exchan~ toward the ~heltor ~3lde ~k~ pla~e~, thi4~ heat lslcr~as~o the t~nporaturo o~ the the~a1 capaO
c~ty and i~ actu~lly aab~orbo~l~ by the ~ o ~hat only a ~ incre~a~e ~n the thermal oap~c~ty ~nd 1$ ~ lter in~lds lrolumc tempe~r~ture take~ pl8ct~.
In ~h~ ~a~ m~nrl~r~ when a ~helter he~t out~lo~ln~ tt!lk~B
pl~co~ th~ hc~t ~ 3upplied by the th~rmal c~p3~ity ~nd O~U~ o~ly a mlnimum t~p~s~a~ure de~r~a~e~, ' By suitably ~electin~ t11e therm~l re~3istance and capa_ ~
~0 ~ity vAl~e~ ln re~lla~on to th~ ~heltea~ volum~ ~nd ~ur~ac~, to ~ho out~d~ t~mp~raturG~ a~d to ~he heat diE~lpat~d by the electronlc ~pp~ratuf3~s, ~t i~
po~ ble to en~ure ~ ~ub~3t~nti~11y c~n~t~nt telluper~turs i~ld~ the ~h~lter ~or pr~establi 3h~3d t~me perlod~
Sudl peri~s can be ~re~ter ~ha~ 24 hour~, and dur~
the 8am0 the ~helt~r ~r~er te~pe~ratur~g corre~pond,g ~,o the ralu~3 o~ (l l;he out~de teleperatur~ plu~
~he tenper~ture: dl~er~s as cau~d by the ~r~y f'r~
elec~ron~o app~r~tuse~. ThiE~ lat;t~r ~e~perat~ di~er~}-that r ~ ca i~ ~aller tha~ hx~Lst~ 1~ th~ k~o~

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du3 ~o th~ lu~e oP ~a~d the~al capac:~ty.
Accordln~lyD the ~ih~tar ~ld~ t~p~r~3~ur0 1l3 ~o lon~er d~pendirl~ o~ the ~axim~m ~nd ~ln~num peak~ o~ _ ~ut~3~d~3 te~p~ture~ but ~ly orl th~3 mea~ ~alu~~ o~ se~id oult~de ~pe~atllr~ ln a pr~o~tab~ d pariod oP ti~DeS
~lch in a~y c~3e i~ ~t loaE~ 1 t;o 24 hour~.
For ~h~s ~ason~ t;h0 Eh~lt~r a~ssordln&~ to thi~ ~
ln~ ion wiLll hav~ a range oP a~pli~atlo~ much gr~er ~han th~t o~ t2le 3cnown l:O~no~ ~ltor~5, in partiaular 1~ wh~ ~a~d pr~esta~l~h~d period o~ tin~ extended by ~ult~.bly solectlII~ the th~rmal re~ an-~e ~nd thermal capaoity ~rEIlU~eJ39 f.2l ~a8~ w~th t~e~ u~e o~ ~oro th~ orl~s r 1;hermal ~ilter t ~3ach ¢o,si~irl~ o~ on~ ro~ d o~e capacity~ w~th a ~a~ de com~otion . Xn addi~l~, the~ lker ac¢ord~OE to th~OE in~ ntlorA fflay al~o be~
uE~d in ¢ombin~tion w~h heatirl~ andlor cool~ device~
~or ~ondlt~ the ~n~ thera~ wh~n the Dlean out~ido t~nporature condltlo~l re~rn ~uch plasatl3. Ir~ thl~ ~a a ~u~ther ~d~anta~ gi~ by/~ub~tant~al reducti~
0~ the load and inter~ntlo~ pcriods o~ ~he~e pl~t~.
BRIE~F D1~3CIUPTII)N OF TH~ DRAWI~IGS
Fi~ 3 a ~¢hematlc croa~s~ction throu~h a 15h91-~er accordin@~ to thle~ in~entlon~
Fi~. 2 ~Ls a dia~ram ~ihowin~ th~ t~mpor~turo :EloW8 at the out~id~ and at ~he ln~ido o~ a ~ lter accord~
to LC'lg~ l;
Fl~s~ 3 a~d 4 are ~ d$a~ram~atic v~rtical ~ tion ~nd a d~a~rammat~ pa;rtl~l arv~ ect~6>n~ O~e a she~t~3r ~:cord~g to thi~ nt~oll ~ad partl~:ul~rly ~ Pos~ r h~ cllma~

~6 Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the results of tests carried out on a prototype under given operating conditions.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODI~IENTS
Referrlng to Fig. 1, a shelter according to this in-ven-tion essentially and diagrammatically consists oE a box-like carrying structure 10 with a suitable layer 14 of a heat-insulating material for example polystyrene or foamed polyurethane or any other material for having good insulation properties and, if possible, low weight. In the embodiment of Fi.g. 1, the insulating layer ls interposed between -two supporti:ng and containing layers 10 and .l2, bu-t .it .is to be understood l:hat the same may be positioned ancl a:r:ranged i.n any othe~r l~anlle:r, or even form itself the box-like structure, provided that it could ensure a satisfying thermal insulation of the shelter inside space 16, that is sealed against the outside environment 18.
Under these conditions, as known, the heat exchange in both directions between the inside space 16 and the outside environment 18 clepends on different factors and mainly on the temperature difference between the two spaces and the insulating capacity or thermal resistance of the shelter walls. It is obvious tha-t the amount of heat that is admitted to or sub-tracted from the inside space 16 directly influences the inside space temperature in a substantial manner. In order to reduce this effect, the invention provides, inside the shelter, a suitable thermal capacity, that is a suitable amount of a material hav.ing a high therm~lcapacity or high specific heat, as 7~

shown for example by the water containers 20 in Fig. 1, thi.s material being in thermal heat exchange re:Lationship with the space 16. Thus, the heat exchange between the two spaces shows a very smaller effect on the temperature of the space 16, because this heat is in part supplied or absorbed by the capacity 20, acting as thermal stabiliser.
Accordingly, the shelters of this invention show the combination of two main features, i.e. to limit on one hand the heat exchanged with the outside space by means of a thermal resistance, and to reduce on the other hand the effect of this heat exchange on the inside shelter temperature by means of a thermal capacity. Further by means of a suitable se].ection of said resi.stance and capacity, it is possible -to obtain a sub-stantially constan-t tempera-ture wi-thin said inside space 16 during preestablished time periods, usually in excess of 24 hours.
For example, assuming that the outside temperature flow be accordin~ to the curve T of Fig. 2, by suitably, sizing said thermal resistance and capacity, a substantially constant inside temperature Til may be ensured, said temperature corres-ponding to the mean outside temperature within the considered36 hour period. If the shelter houses a heat source Eor instance formed by a heating device or by the same protected electronic apparatuses, the inside temperature will increase to Ti2, but will remain always constant. It must be observed that the temperature ~ap Ti2-Til, for example caused by the heat emission of the protected apparatuses, is reduced due to the presence -~
of the thermal capacity 20, when compared to known shelters 7~

without th~ l c~p~c~tyO
As alrq~d~ m0ntlo~edt the~ th~rm~ll c~p~c~ty ~0 CO~iliBt~l 01~ A ~u~tabl~ amount o~ a ~ub~ne~e ha~ a h~h sp~c~ic hent, ~or $n~t~nce wil~er . ~or :r e~ s o~ ~ ~on0trL~ctlonal con~n~ ence other ~at~rial~ c~ uE~d ~d ~t 1~: po~ ble to ~ore~een very hi~h thormal cap~cit;ie~ at ~lven t~per~
tur~ r~ges by ¢hoo~ t~rial~ t~alt wad~r~o to a csh~-ge oP ~ate ~ ~ ran~e~
~g~. 3 and 4 ~;h~sw an embod~ent ~ccord:lng to th~s ~n-Y~ OI~J wher~n the oY~rheatln~ ect o~ ~olar r~diatio~s on the ~h~lter w~1.1.8 has bee~ oonslderedO
~e~ r~diations may con~3id~sr~bly ~n~rea~e th* heat ~sx~ha~e in a dl~co~t~nuous m~nner only st~ti~ally ~or~e~nable in Yi~w oP the tJrpe o~ he~t ~upply" thus ~h~
all tho oalculat.torl v~lue~ ~n,~l incre~ th~s ov~rall ~ze and we~t o~ ~h~ therm~l c~paclty.
It ~ thu~ ~uitable tc provide a ~ol~r ~adiat~ sree~n .
partlcul~r, according to thQ ~mbodlment o~ Fi~E~. 3 ~nd 4 ~ double outer ~ol~r ~creerl 2~, 24 i~ provided iEor" ~u~sh l3craen b~ ooled by the natural air clrcula~ion ir~du-~ed by the~ w~11 he~tin~ as æhown by lche~ arrowe3. ~he naturAl draPt iE; ensured by the chlmney e~ect ~or the out~ide screen 22 snd by the chimnoy e~cat ~mprove~d by a dhort Ertaolc 26 ~!or the~ inner s¢r~en 24. The doltbl~ screen ~11OWB to protect the ~helt~r ~aln~t th~ a\tmo~phe~rio, a~nks. The wAll~ o~ the double ~3~reet~ ~re made o~ ~ r~Pl~cting materlal :Ln order to r~duce the heat tran~ ion.
Th~ ~ho:lt~r ~ still ~urth¢~r prot~cte~ by a~l uppar sheet slide 28 ~gs~ t th~ po~s:Lbl~ ~ccu~ulatlon of~ ~a~d or the 3~ e .leh~ upper wellJ carrl~ throu~h bolt; wi~h a ho~ 30 at the inside of the shelter for the assembly winch of the electronic material.
At the shelter bottom a door 32 opens toward the out-side with air-tight seals,said door being made of a frame with a heat-insulating packing. The shelter insulating layer 34 is made of foamed polyurethane, polys-tyrene or similar heat-insulation material.
he thermal capacity is fixed -to the shelter inside walls. It consists of a set of piastic square -tubes 36 , slightly shorter than the whole height of -the wall, filled with a suit-able liquid and sealed at the -top and bottom.
In less severe climates and with hi~her admissible inner temperatures, i.t is possible to avoid the ou-ter screen and, ln case of minor re~uirements or improvements in -the cLimatic conditions, also the inner solar screen.
In a tested screenless embodiment, the sizes of the inner cell werel.70 x 1.70 x Z m wi-th an insulation formed by a 30 cm thick foamed polystyrene layer. The thermal capacity was formed by 220 1. of water contained in 24 round plastic tubes 1.90 m height, inner diameter 80 mm. The results of tests carried-ou-t wi-th an inner dissipated power of 40 and 30 W are shown inthe diagram of Fig. S, wherein the upper curve indicates -the shelter inside temperature (point A indicates a reduction of the dissipated power from 40 to 30W) while the lower curve indicates the values of the outside temperatures.
The values of the thermal capacity shall be propor-tional to the desired damping of the outside temperature varia-tions and to the thermal resis-tance of the walls.
It is to be understood that the shown embodiments may undergo to modifications, in particular according to the ope-rational r*qulr~ ntas,, wi~hoult d~porting ~r~ ~h~ ~plr~t ~nd li;GOp~ O~ LnY~ltiO~l.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A shelter for the protection of electronic apparatus from the surrounding exterior environment, said shelter comprising:
a closed box-like structure defining an interior space for housing electronic apparatus, the exterior of said box-like structure being exposed to the surrounding exterior environment; said box-like structure having walls including thermal resistance means for decreasing the amount of heat transferred from said exterior environment through said box-like structure into said interior space when the temperature of said exterior environment is higher than the temperature of said interior space; said box-like structure having in said interior space thereof thermal capacity means for absorbing said heat transferred from said exterior environment into said interior space, for absorbing heat generated in said interior space, and for dissipating heat through said walls to said exterior environment when said temperature of said exterior environment is lower than said temperature of said interior space; and said thermal resistance means and said thermal capacity means being sized and dimensioned to comprise means for maintaining said temperature of said interior space substantially constant and equal to the mean value of said temperature of said exterior environment during a predetermined period of time.

2. A shelter as claimed in claim 1 including solar screen means positioned exterior of said box-like structure for reflecting solar radiation away from said box-like structure said solar screen means defining with said box-like structure air space means for enabling the circulation therethrough of ambient air for cooling the exterior of said box-like structure.

3. A shelter as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said thermal resistance means comprises thermal insulating material forming said walls of said box-like structure.

4. A shelter as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said thermal resistance means comprises thermal insulating material joined with said walls of said box-like structure.

5. A shelter as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said thermal capacity means comprises at least one material having a high specific heat.

6. A shelter as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said thermal resistance means comprises plural resistances spaced from each other in a direction from the outside to the inside of said box-like structure.

7. A shelter as claimed in claim 2, wherein said thermal capacity means comprises containers of water.

8. A shelter as claimed in claim 7, wherein said containers comprise bundles of tubes.

9. A shelter as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further com-prising temperature changing means extending into said interior space.

10. A shelter as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said predetermined period of time is at least 24 hours.